Designing a better reading experience with Matter: Incorporating Trust, Curation, and User-Friendly Features

Designing a better reading experience with Matter: Incorporating Trust, Curation, and User-Friendly Features

In today's digital age, the act of reading online encompasses various behaviors that span from deciding what to read, the actual act of reading, to what we do with the knowledge we gain. As avid users of read-it-later apps, my co-founder Rob Mackenzie and I realized that the first generation of such apps lacked certain smart features. They failed to assist with prioritization, resurfacing, or decay. This realization led us to create Matter, a read-it-later app that aims to provide a better reading experience.

One of the key aspects we focused on when designing Matter was trust. Trust plays a crucial role in determining what we choose to read. People trust other people, especially when it comes to curating content. Therefore, we made the decision to elevate writers as first-class citizens in our system. By valuing good curation, we enable users to discover hidden gems that may have been overlooked by engagement-based algorithms.

While the consumption of new information is essential, we also believe that the bias towards novelty is too strong. The vast majority of the best content ever produced was not created in the past week. Therefore, we designed Matter to serve as a counterweight to this bias. We understand the need to deliver relevant and manageable content to our users, and we are continuously exploring the design space to achieve this.

One area where we saw room for improvement was in the reading experience of newsletters. Newsletters have seen a resurgence in popularity, but the traditional email inbox is not optimized for reading. Most people want to quickly get through their inbox, not spend more time there. Additionally, email doesn't allow for highlighting or annotating. To address this, we incorporated highly reliable parsing techniques, such as natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision, to enhance the user experience.

Another important aspect we considered was the rise of audio consumption. With the increasing convenience of listening to content, audio has become a significant mode of consumption. To cater to this trend, we introduced a feature called "audio highlights" that allows users to highlight content while listening without having to open their phones. This feature is especially useful for those using Airpods, as they can make an audio highlight with just a triple-tap or by pressing both volume buttons simultaneously.

Additionally, we introduced the concept of minimaps to enhance the reading experience. By implementing a two-finger tap feature, users can view a miniaturized version of an article, allowing them to quickly scan headers and navigate through the content. This feature takes inspiration from video games and code editors and is particularly effective on mobile devices, with potential for even greater utility on desktop web.

Our core users, whom we refer to as "active" readers, are intentional about what they read and actively curate their information diets. They often have favorite writers and subscribe to newsletters, frequently visiting obscure blogs. Our goal is to maximize the return on investment (ROI) of reading. We want to help people gain more insight, knowledge, and even thrill from the time they invest in reading.

In evaluating growth opportunities, there are four crucial factors that we consider: Hypothesis, Investment, Precedent, and Experience. These factors are key to finding great opportunities and executing them with high velocity. The hypothesis behind an idea is essential, as it must have a significant impact on metrics, typically by increasing intent or decreasing friction. Moreover, the investment of time required for a project is a crucial consideration. It is vital to assess whether there is a precedent for the idea working in the past. Lastly, ensuring that any changes made result in a positive user experience is of utmost importance.

In conclusion, designing a better reading experience with Matter involves incorporating trust, curation, user-friendly features, and a focus on maximizing the ROI of reading. By prioritizing the needs of readers, we aim to provide a platform that not only enhances the act of reading but also helps users make better decisions about what to read. To optimize your own reading experience, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Prioritize trust: Seek out sources and curators you trust to guide your reading choices. Consider subscribing to newsletters or following blogs that align with your interests and values.

2. Embrace diverse content: While new information is important, don't overlook the wealth of valuable content that may not be recent but still holds significant insights. Explore different mediums, such as podcasts or audiobooks, to diversify your consumption.

3. Utilize user-friendly tools: Take advantage of features like audio highlights or minimaps to enhance your reading experience. These tools can help you engage with content more effectively and efficiently.

By implementing these strategies and leveraging the advancements in technology, you can create a reading experience that is tailored to your needs and preferences. As we continue to evolve and innovate, the possibilities for a better reading experience are endless.